Toilet brush

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Toilet brushes and holders Klobuersten fcm.JPG
Toilet brushes and holders
Modern toilet brush made with silicone polymer Wc-schaber.jpg
Modern toilet brush made with silicone polymer

A toilet brush is a tool for cleaning a toilet bowl.

Contents

Generally the toilet brush is used with toilet cleaner or bleach. The toilet brush can be used to clean the upper area of the toilet, around the bowl. [1] However, it cannot be used to clean very far into the toilet's U-bend and should not be used to clean the toilet seat. [2] [ irrelevant citation ]

In many cultures it is considered impolite to clean away biological debris without the use of chemical toilet cleaning products, as this can leave residue on the bristles. By contrast, others consider it impolite not to clean away biological debris immediately using the toilet brush. [3]

A typical toilet brush consists of a hard bristled end, usually with a rounded shape and a long handle. Today toilet brushes are commonly made of plastic, but were originally made of wood with pig bristles or from the hair of horses, oxen, squirrels and badgers. [4] The brush is typically stored in a holder, but in some cases completely hidden in a tube.

An electric toilet brush is a little different from a normal toilet brush. The bristles are fastened on the rotor of a motor which works similar to an electric tooth brush. The power supply is attached without any metal contact via electromagnetic induction.

In recent years, there has been a general shift in design with a new emphasis on ergonomically designed brushes. Further design enhancements have included innovative holders that snap shut around the bristled end, thereby preventing the release of smells, germs and other unpleasantries. [5]

Further development of the traditional toilet brush focus on the risk of germ incubation within the brush holder. A toilet brush has been patented which introduces a reservoir of anti-bacterial fluid, allowing the brush to be dipped and sanitized after each use. [6]

The first successful artificial Christmas tree was made from brush bristles by Addis using the same machinery used to manufacture its toilet brushes. [7] The trees were made from the same animal-hair bristles used in the brushes, except they were dyed green. [8] [9]

Recent developments

In recent years many new products aiming to reinvent the traditional toilet brush have emerged to the market.

Protester holding a golden toilet brush Golden toilet brush -- symbol of the protest.jpg
Protester holding a golden toilet brush

The toilet brush became one of the symbols [13] of the widespread [14] Russian protests in support of Alexei Navalny [15] that took place in January 2021. An investigation [16] led by the Anti-Corruption Foundation suggested that each of the toilet brushes at the alleged personal residence of President Vladimir Putin cost about 700. [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Toilet paper is a tissue paper product primarily used to clean the anus and surrounding region of feces, and to clean the external genitalia and perineal area of urine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toothbrush</span> Oral hygiene tool

A toothbrush is an oral hygiene tool used to clean the teeth, gums, and tongue. It consists of a head of tightly clustered bristles, atop of which toothpaste can be applied, mounted on a handle which facilitates the cleaning of hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. They should be used in conjunction with something to clean between the teeth where the bristles of the toothbrush cannot reach - for example floss, tape or interdental brushes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washing</span> Method of cleaning

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public toilet</span> Room or building with toilets for the general public

A public toilet, restroom, public bathroom or washroom is a room or small building with toilets and sinks for use by the general public. The facilities are available to customers, travelers, employees of a business, school pupils and prisoners and are commonly separated into male and female toilets, although some are unisex, especially for small or single-occupancy public toilets, public toilets are accessible to people with disabilities. Depending on the culture, there may be varying degrees of separation between males and females and different levels of privacy. Typically, the entire room, or a stall or cubicle containing a toilet, is lockable. Urinals, if present in a male toilet, are typically mounted on a wall with or without a divider between them. Local authorities or commercial businesses may provide public toilet facilities. Some are unattended while others are staffed by an attendant. In many cultures, it is customary to tip the attendant, especially if they provide a specific service, such as might be the case at upscale nightclubs or restaurants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Domestos</span> Bleach-based household cleaning product brand

Domestos is a British brand of household cleaning range which contains bleach. It is manufactured by Unilever. Domestos contains 100,000 ppm (10%) of the active component, available chlorine; many other bleaches contain 50,000 or less.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toilet cleaner</span> Acidic cleaning agent for toilets

Toilet cleaners are chemical solutions designed specifically for cleaning a toilet bowl, usually in conjunction with a toilet brush.

Sani-Flush was an American brand of crystal toilet bowl cleaner formerly produced by Reckitt Benckiser. Its main ingredient was sodium bisulfate; it also contained sodium carbonate as well as sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, sodium chloride, fragrance and dye.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toilet (room)</span> Room for privately accessing a toilet, and often handwashing basin

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References

  1. How to clean a toilet, WikiHow , URL accessed September 11, 2010
  2. How to use a toilet brush, WikiHow , URL accessed September 11, 2010
  3. A-Z of Manners - toilet etiquette, URL accessed September 11, 2010
  4. inventors.com, URL accessed January 20, 2007
  5. "oxo GG SS toilet brush". Archived from the original on July 22, 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
  6. "Toilet brush and holder".
  7. Hewitt, James. The Christmas Tree, (Google Books), Lulu.com, 2007, pp. 33–36, ( ISBN   1430308206).
  8. Cole, Peter, et al. Christmas Trees: Fun and Festive Ideas, (Google Books), Chronicle Books, 2002, p. 23, ( ISBN   0811835774).
  9. Perkins, Broderick. "Faux Christmas Tree Crop Yields Special Concerns Archived 2008-09-08 at the Wayback Machine ", Realty Times, December 12, 2003, accessed December 15, 2008.
  10. "A toilet brush revolution is happening, and it's called LooBlade - Geek.com". 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 30 November 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  11. "This Amazing Gadget Proves That Toilet Brushes Are Dirty, Terrible Things". 3 June 2016.
  12. Sani, Handi. "Handi Sani: The World's First Self-Cleaning Toilet Brush". PRLog.
  13. "Protesters in Moscow have been holding toilet brush". Reddit.
  14. Troianovski, Anton; Kramer, Andrew E.; Higgins, Andrew (2021-01-23). "In Aleksei Navalny Protests, Russia Faces Biggest Dissent in Years" . The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  15. "«Вы осознаете свою вину?» В Минске задержали женщину за надпись «Путин» на туалетным ершике". belsat.eu (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  16. Pole Dancing And Fancy Toilet Brushes: Millions Watch Navalny Video On Alleged 'Putin Palace' , retrieved 2021-01-24
  17. "Дворец для Путина". palace.navalny.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-01-24.